Jump to content

Last Christmas: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
→‎Music video: Update data
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit
mNo edit summary
Tags: Visual edit Mobile edit Mobile web edit Advanced mobile edit
Line 94: Line 94:
| 2018 || 3 || 5 wks (6 Dec 2018 - 3 Jan 2019)<ref>{{cite news|title=Official Singles Chart Top 100|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20181228/7501/|work=[[Official Charts Company]]|date=6 December 2018|accessdate=26 November 2019}}</ref>
| 2018 || 3 || 5 wks (6 Dec 2018 - 3 Jan 2019)<ref>{{cite news|title=Official Singles Chart Top 100|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20181228/7501/|work=[[Official Charts Company]]|date=6 December 2018|accessdate=26 November 2019}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 2019 || 7 || 4 wks (28 Nov 2019 - 19 Dec 2019)<ref>{{cite news|title=Official Singles Chart Top 100|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/|work=Official Charts Company|date=13 December 2019|accessdate=14 December 2019}}</ref>
| 2019 || 3 || 4 wks (28 Nov 2019 - 19 Dec 2019)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/ladbaby-takes-early-lead-ahead-of-stormzy-wham-and-ellie-goulding-for-christmas-number-1__27980/|title=LadBaby takes early lead ahead of Stormzy, Wham! and Ellie Goulding for Christmas Number 1|last=|first=|date=15 December 2019|work=Official Charts Company|accessdate=15 December 2019}}</ref>
|}
|}


Revision as of 21:12, 15 December 2019

For the romantic comedy film, see Last Christmas (film). For the Doctor Who episode, see Last Christmas (Doctor Who).

"Last Christmas"
File:Last Christmaswham.jpg
Artwork for the original 1984 UK 7-inch vinyl single, also used for Australian, Japanese, continental European releases[1][2]
Single by Wham!
from the album Music from the Edge of Heaven
A-side"Everything She Wants" (various)
B-side
Released3 December 1984
RecordedAugust 1984
StudioAdvision, London[3]
Genre
Length
  • 4:27
  • 6:45 (Pudding mix)
Label
Songwriter(s)George Michael
Producer(s)George Michael
Wham! singles chronology
"Freedom"
(1984) 		"Last Christmas"
(1984) 		"Everything She Wants"
(1984)
Music video
"Last Christmas" on YouTube
Alternative cover
File:Last Christmas 1985 cover - 7” single.jpeg
Artwork of the 1985 UK vinyl re-release, also used for subsequent vinyl and CD re-releases

"Last Christmas" is a song by English pop duo Wham!, released on Epic Records in December 1984, on a double A-side with "Everything She Wants". It was written and produced by George Michael, and has been covered by many artists since its original release.

The song reached No. 1 in Denmark, Slovenia and Sweden and No. 2 in eight countries; Belgium, Netherlands, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Norway, New Zealand and United Kingdom. Wham! donated all of their royalties to the Ethiopian famine.[4] In a UK-wide poll in December 2012, it was voted eighth on the ITV television special The Nation's Favourite Christmas Song.[5] It was the most-played Christmas song of the 21st century in the UK until it was overtaken by “Fairytale of New York” in 2015.[6]

Origin

"Last Christmas" had its beginnings in 1984, while George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley were visiting Michael’s parents. It was written by Michael in his childhood bedroom.[3] Michael played Ridgeley the introduction and chorus melody to "Last Christmas", which Ridgeley later called "a moment of wonder".[7]

Recording

The song was recorded in August 1984, at Advision Studios, London, England. George Michael had written, performed, produced and played every single instrument on the track. With a Linn 9000 drum machine, a Roland Juno-60 synth and sleigh bells, they began recording the song in the summer. The only people in the studio were engineer Chris Porter and two assistants. According to Porter, lyrically "you’ve got the happiness of the rhythm track, but against that you’ve got the sadness of the unrequited love".[3]

Chart performance

United Kingdom

Wham! already had two No.1 songs in the UK Singles Chart in 1984 and news that they were planning a Christmas single meant that a battle for the coveted Christmas No. 1 spot in the UK seemed set to be between Wham! and the year's other big act, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, who had achieved a third No. 1 in early December with "The Power of Love". However, the Band Aid single written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, produced the No. 1 single "Do They Know It's Christmas?", while Wham!'s offering peaked at No. 2 for much of the period. Wham! donated all "Last Christmas/Everything She Wants" royalties to the Ethiopian famine.[4]

In subsequent years, the song reached the middle echelons of the UK Singles Chart on a regular basis (excluding 1985, 1986, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, when the song reached the upper echelons of the chart) Also shows number of weeks spent in the UK Singles Chart top 100.

UK Singles Chart
Year Peak pos. Chart run
1984 2 13 weeks (15 Dec 1984 - 9 Mar 1985)[8]
1985 2 / 6 7 wks (14 Dec 1985 - 25 Jan 1986)[9]
1986 14[10]/ 45 5 wks (13 Dec 1986 - 10 Jan 1987)[11]
2007 14 5 wks (8 Dec 2007 - 5 Jan 2008)[12]
2008 26 5 wks (6 Dec 2008 - 3 Jan 2009)[13]
2009 34 4 wks (12 Dec 2009 - 2 Jan 2010)[14]
2010 53 4 wks (11 Dec 2010 - 1 Jan 2011)[15]
2011 26 4 wks (10 Dec 2011 - 31 Dec 2011)[16]
2012 34 5 wks (8 Dec 2012 - 5 Jan 2013)
2013 36 5 wks (7 Dec 2013 - 4 Jan 2014)
2014 28 5 wks (6 Dec 2014 - 3 Jan 2015)[17]
2015 18 5 wks (10 Dec 2015 - 7 Jan 2016)[18]
2016 7 5 wks (8 Dec 2016 - 5 Jan 2017)[19]
2017 2 6 wks (30 Nov 2017 - 4 Jan 2018)[20]
2018 3 5 wks (6 Dec 2018 - 3 Jan 2019)[21]
2019 3 4 wks (28 Nov 2019 - 19 Dec 2019)[22]

"Last Christmas" has sold over 1.88 million copies as of January 2017 and is the biggest-selling single in UK chart history not to reach No. 1.[3][23] It was certified 2 times multi-platinum in December 2018.[24]

Other territories

In Germany, the song is the most successful Christmas single of all time, having spent 137 weeks on the German Singles Chart and attained a peak position of No. 3 on 28 December 2018.[25] It has charted every year since 1997.[26] In January 2008, the song fell from No. 4 to No. 64 there, also making it the biggest fall out of the top 10 on the singles chart.[27]

The single was originally released in two different formats in Japan, a 7-inch and 12-inch vinyl (Long version) both with "Credit Card Baby" as their B-side. The former entered the top 20 of the Oricon Singles Chart peaking at No. 15, while the latter reached No. 47.[28] The single was released in 1993 on CD single in the country and peaked at No. 17, selling nearly 40,000 copies that week.[29] It was again reissued on CD as a 2-track, the single edit and the "Pudding Mix" in November 2001 and again in November 2004.[30][31] As a result of the success, "Last Christmas" is the eighth best-selling single of all time in Japan released by a non-Japanese act, with total physical sales of 683,000 units.[32]

In the Netherlands, the song never reached No. 1, peaking at No. 2 in January 1985 (behind Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?"). In the Dutch Singles Top 100 (one of three charts in the Netherlands that claims to be the "official" chart, but it is the only one that is not broadcast and remains unpublished except on its own official web page), the song has now entered on 16 different occasions, including every year since 2006. Its highest position after 1984 was No. 4 (during the 2016 and 2018 Christmas season).[33] In the Dutch Mega Top 50 (which was first published in 1993), the song re-appeared in 1997, 2000, 2007, 2008, and 2013.

"Last Christmas" was originally not commercially released as a single in the United States and therefore did not enter the main charts. It was released for the first time as a 2-track physical 12" vinyl single through an exclusive Record Store Day release in November 2014.[34] The song has re-entered the Billboard Holiday Songs Chart on a regular basis with it peaking at No. 3 on 7 December 2019.[35][36] As of 25 November 2016, total US sales of the digital track stand at 751,000 downloads according to Nielsen SoundScan, placing it 10th on the list of all-time best-selling Christmas/holiday digital singles in US SoundScan history.[37] The song debuted at number 50 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the chart dated 7 January 2017, after George Michael died.[38] In December 2018, the song re-entered the Hot 100, eventually peaking at No. 25 in January 2019.[39]

In December 2017 and 28 December 2018, "Last Christmas" reached No. 1 in the Swedish singles chart.[40] In 2009, the song re-entered the Spanish Lista de Canciones (singles chart) at No. 9.

Music video

The video to "Last Christmas" shows Wham! members George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley accompanying girlfriends to see friends at an unspecified ski resort: the cable-car that can be seen in two shots is from Saas-Fee, Switzerland, where the video was filmed.[3] It becomes clear early on that the character of Ridgeley's girlfriend (played by model Kathy Hill)[3] was previously in a relationship with Michael and that the song is aimed at her. She can be spotted throughout the video by the fact that she is usually wearing red, but everyone else is wearing more muted colors.

There is a brief flashback to "last Christmas", showing Michael's character presenting her with a jewelled brooch. In the present time, Ridgeley is wearing the brooch, suggesting that the girl gave the same gift (perhaps by regifting it) to her new love after she and Michael parted ways. When the girl wears the brooch from Michael's character, it is "right side up", and when Ridgeley's character wears it, he wears it "upside down". On numerous occasions, Michael presents a thoughtful expression, suggesting his conflicting emotions.

Her seeming indifference to Ridgeley's open displays of affection makes the viewer wonder if Ridgeley's heart is the next to be broken. At the end of the video, everyone leaves properly "paired off", so perhaps it is suggested that Michael has worked out his confusion and now realizes he is after all with the right girl.[original research?]

The video also featured the duo's erstwhile backing singers Pepsi and Shirlie and Spandau Ballet bassist Martin Kemp, the boyfriend and future husband of Shirlie Holliman.[3]

As of 14 December 2019, the music video has received 475 million views on the official Wham! YouTube channel.[41] The second official music video "Last Christmas (Pudding Mix)" on Wham!’s official channel has 20.1 million views.[42] The music video was released on 13 December 2019 in 4K Ultra HD resolution and has over 1.1 million views.[43]

Mixes

The full original mix and vocal of "Last Christmas" has never been released in its entirety. In 1984 it was two edits of the song that were released: one (4:24) on the regular 7" format and the other (missing the second verse (4:45)) on the original Japanese 12" and promotional Spanish 7".

A remixed version with partly re-recorded and additional vocals was used for the regular 12" format and entitled the "Pudding Mix". When the single was re-released in 1985, an edited version of the Pudding Mix was used for the regular 7" and this version has been used on all subsequent re-releases.

It is the 1985 7" version (the edit of the 1984 12" Pudding Mix) that is now the most common to find on "various artists" compilation albums (as well as George Michael's Twenty Five hits compilation) and the most widely known version.

The full Pudding Mix has been featured on several compilations (including the Wham! hits compilation albums The Final and If You Were There (The Best of Wham)). The edits of the original 1984 recording are less widely available, although the longer version was used in early 1985 in some countries on the second set of formats of the "Last Christmas/Everything She Wants" double "A" sided single (once the latter started becoming the focus of promotion, following the end of the Christmas season) and has occasionally been used on "various artists" compilation albums. The shorter edit (as used on the original 7") has not been released since and therefore has never appeared on the compact disc format.

Release history

Note: "Last Christmas" and "Everything She Wants" were a double "A" side. The second 7" and 12" with "Everything She Wants" as the main track were released in early 1985. In some countries, the longer edit (4:34) of "Last Christmas" from 1984 was used on side two of the second 12". The only difference between the 1988 and 1989 reissues is the text (Christmas '88" and Christmas '89") on the back of the record.

Charts and certifications

Appearances in other media

In the movie Last Christmas (2019), the film prominently features the music of the late singer George Michael, including the Last Christmas song and a previously unreleased track.[95]

Plagiarism allegations

On behalf of the writers of the song "Can't Smile Without You", made popular by Barry Manilow, publishing company Dick James Music sued Michael for plagiarism in the mid-1980s, claiming that "Last Christmas" lifted its melody from the former. The case was thrown out when a musicologist presented 60-odd songs from the past century that had a comparable chord sequence and melody.[3][96]

Cover versions

Whigfield version

"Last Christmas"
Single by Whigfield
from the album Whigfield and Whigfield II
Released3 December 1995
Recorded1995
GenrePop
Length4:16
LabelVarious labels internationally
Songwriter(s)George Michael
Producer(s)George Michael
Whigfield singles chronology
"Close to You"
(1995) 		"Last Christmas"
(1995) 		"Sexy Eyes"
(1996)
Music video
"Last Christmas" on YouTube

In the UK, the following single planned after "Close to You" was "Big Time"; however, it was suggested that Whigfield should record a version of "Last Christmas" to go with the release of "Big Time", as a double A-side single. The single was also released as a double A-side single in Germany with "Close to You". In other countries, "Last Christmas" was released on its own with various remixes. The single reached number 21 in the UK, which was Whigfield's final release on Systematic Records. It also features on various Special Edition versions of her debut album Whigfield and also on Whigfield II. The EP was released on 10 November 1995 in Australia. A UK single was released on 3 December 1995.

Music video

The music video for "Last Christmas" was directed by Italian director Giacomo De Simone.

Official versions

  1. "Last Christmas" (Major version)
  2. "Last Christmas" (Minor version)
  3. "Last Christmas" (Major Mild EQ version)
  4. "Last Christmas" (K David version)
  5. "Last Christmas" (David version)
  6. "Last Christmas" (MBRG version)
  7. "Last Christmas" (MBRG radio edit)

Charts

Chart (1995) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[97] 38
Denmark (IFPI)[98] 6
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles) 38
Europe Eurochart Hot 100 61
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[99] 12
Ireland (IRMA) 24
Netherlands (Tipparade)[100] 2
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[101] 34
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[102] 21
Spain (AFYVE)[103] 4
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[104] 53
UK Singles (Official Charts Company) 21

Billie Piper version

"Last Christmas"
Single by Billie Piper
Released1999
GenrePop
Length4:27
LabelInnocent
Songwriter(s)George Michael
Producer(s)
  • Jim Marr
  • Wendy Page
Billie Piper singles chronology
"She Wants You"
(1998) 		"Last Christmas"
(1999) 		"Honey to the Bee"
(1999)

Billie Piper originally recorded a cover of the song as a B-side of her single "She Wants You". It was released as CD single in limited areas of Europe, and did not chart in any country. The single was also released as a promotional vinyl single in the UK, limited to 500 copies and therefore could not chart there.

Track listings

European CD single
  1. "Last Christmas"
  2. "She Wants You" (album version)
  3. "She Wants You" (Sharp Ballrom Remix)
UK promo vinyl
  1. "Last Christmas" (edit)
  2. "She Wants You" (radio edit)

Jimmy Eat World version

"Last Christmas"
Single by Jimmy Eat World
Released10 December 2001
GenreAlternative rock
Length4:00
LabelBetter Looking
Songwriter(s)George Michael
Producer(s)Jimmy Eat World
Jimmy Eat World singles chronology
"The Middle"
(2001) 		"Last Christmas"
(2001) 		"Sweetness"
(2002)

"Last Christmas" was released as a single by Jimmy Eat World in 2001, following the band's breakthrough hit album Bleed American. The B-side was a cover of "Firestarter", by The Prodigy.

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Last Christmas" (Wham! cover)4:00
2."Firestarter" (The Prodigy cover)6:29

Hilary Duff Version

"Last Christmas" was covered by Hilary Duff as part of her debut album, Santa Claus Lane.

Charts

Chart (2011) Peak
position
South Korea (Gaon)[105] 133
Chart (2012) Peak
position
South Korea (Gaon)[106] 68

Ashley Tisdale version

"Last Christmas"
Promotional single by Ashley Tisdale
Released
  • 11 November 2006 (2006-11-11) (US radio)
  • 21 November 2006 (2006-11-21) (digital download)[107][108]
Recorded2006
Genre
Length
  • 3:55 (main version)
  • 3:39 (2007 radio edit)
LabelWarner Bros.
Songwriter(s)George Michael
Producer(s)Mark Hammond

"Last Christmas" was recorded in 2006 for Warner Bros. Records by Ashley Tisdale. The song was released to US radios on 11 November 2006 and as a digital download on 21 November 2006. This song was the first single released by Ashley Tisdale in her deal with Warner Bros. Records and became her official first holiday single. Tisdale performed the single in 2007 on Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Christmas in Rockefeller Center, and in 2009 in the Citadel Outlets of Los Angeles, California. The song was one of the B-sides on the European CD singles of Tisdale's first single "Be Good to Me" and Tisdale's second single "He Said She Said", from the album Headstrong.[109] The song has been included on several compilation albums, including Disney Channel Holiday and A Very Special Christmas 7.

Track listings

Digital download[108]
  1. "Last Christmas" (single version) – 3:55

Charts

Chart (2011) Peak
position
US Billboard Holiday/Seasonal Songs[110] 47

Crazy Frog version

"Last Christmas"
Single by Crazy Frog
from the album Crazy Frog Presents More Crazy Hits Ultimate Edition
ReleasedDecember 2006
Recorded2006
Genre
Length4:27
LabelMinistry of Sound
Songwriter(s)George Michael
Producer(s)
Crazy Frog singles chronology
"We Are the Champions (Ding a Dang Dong)"
(2006) 		"Last Christmas"
(2006) 		"Crazy Frog in the House (Knightrider)"
(2007)

"Last Christmas" was covered in 2006 by Crazy Frog and released as a Christmas single. In Belgium, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden and France, "Last Christmas" was released 12 months before in other countries.

Track listings

CD single
  1. "Last Christmas" (radio edit)
  2. "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"
  3. "Last Christmas" (club mix)
  4. "Nellie the Elephant"
  5. "Last Christmas" (video)

Charts

Chart (2006) Peak
position
Australian Singles Chart[111] 30
Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart[111] 19
Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart[111] 6
Dutch Singles Chart[111] 48
French Singles Chart[111] 19
Irish Singles Chart[112] 16
New Zealand Singles Chart[111] 19
UK Singles Chart[112] 16

Cascada version

"Last Christmas"
Single by Cascada
from the album It's Christmas Time
Released21 November 2007
Recorded2007
Genre
Length3:27
Label
Songwriter(s)George Michael
Cascada singles chronology
"Ready for Love"
(2006) 		"Last Christmas"
(2007) 		"What Hurts the Most"
(2007)

"Last Christmas" was recorded in 2007 by Cascada. It was released on iTunes in November 2007. The single had only a digital release but six days later, it was released on the single "What Hurts the Most" which was the first single from their second album.

In the UK, despite it being a B-side track, the song is regularly played throughout music channels during the festive season. The two official music videos got more than 60 million views on YouTube combined.

It was released as part of their Christmas album, It's Christmas Time.

iTunes download
  • "Last Christmas" – 3:52

Charts

Chart (2007) Peak
position
songid field is MANDATORY FOR GERMAN CHARTS 83
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[113] 63
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[114] 111*
UK Dance (OCC)[115] 22

* Based on downloads alone, but did chart at number 10, as it was the B-side to "What Hurts the Most".

Alcazar version

"Last Christmas"
Single by Alcazar
from the album Disco Defenders – Special Edition
Released20 November 2009
Recorded2009
GenrePop
Length3:33
LabelLove No Limit
Songwriter(s)George Michael
Alcazar singles chronology
"From Brazil with Love"
(2009) 		"Last Christmas"
(2009) 		"Headlines"
(2010)

The song was covered by Alcazar from Sweden as the sixth single to be released from their third studio album Disco Defenders, released in 2009. The single was only released digitally in Germany. It was included as a bonus track on the Swedish special edition version of Disco Defenders, released on 18 November 2009.[116]

Music video

A music video was produced to promote the single.

Track listings

Digital download[117]

  1. "Last Christmas"
  2. "One Two Three Four"

Joe McElderry version

"Last Christmas"
Single by Joe McElderry
from the album Classic Christmas
Released4 November 2011 (2011-11-04)
RecordedOctober 2011
GenrePop
LabelDecca
Songwriter(s)George Michael
Joe McElderry singles chronology
"There's a Place for Us"
(2010) 		"Last Christmas"
(2011) 		"Here's What I Believe"
(2012)
Music video
"Last Christmas" on YouTube

British singer Joe McElderry covered the song in 2011. This version was released as a single on 19 December 2011,[118] an EP was also released digitally in Ireland on 4 November 2011, and in the UK on 7 November 2011. Joe McElderry's version is taken from his third studio album, Classic Christmas, released 28 November 2011. 7th Heaven Remix & Production have done a remix for the song.

A short music video was made using footage which was filmed for the Classic Christmas's album advertising, it features McElderry outside in the snow, collecting logs and taking them to a large house preparing for a Christmas party, a similar video was made for McElderry's version of "O Come All Ye Faithful". The advert and both videos were directed by Steve Lucker.[119]

Track listings

EP 1[120]

  1. "Last Christmas" – 4:18
  2. "Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful)" – 3:07
  3. "Silent Night" – 3:28

7th Heaven Remixes[121]

  1. "Last Christmas" (7th Heaven Remix) – 6:54
  2. "Last Christmas" (7th Heaven Remix Edit) – 3:47

Ariana Grande version

"Last Christmas"
Single by Ariana Grande
from the album Christmas Kisses
Released19 November 2013 (2013-11-19)
Recorded2013
Genre
Length3:24
LabelRepublic
Songwriter(s)George Michael
Producer(s)
Ariana Grande singles chronology
"Right There"
(2013) 		"Last Christmas"
(2013) 		"Love Is Everything"
(2013)

"Last Christmas" is a song by American singer Ariana Grande. The song serves as the lead single from Grande's Christmas Kisses. It was released on 19 November 2013 in the iTunes Store.[122]

Composition

Grande's cover draws primarily from pop music, contemporary R&B, and Soul and also includes newly-written lyrics in place of some of the originals.[123][124] The verses have been described as "bouncier" than the original melody.[123]

Track listing

  1. "Last Christmas" – 3:24

Charts

Chart (2013–17) Peak
position
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[125] 73
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[126] 59
South Korea International Chart (Gaon)[127] 5
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[128] 92
US Billboard Hot 100[129] 96
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[130] 26
US Holiday 100 (Billboard)[131] 32
US Holiday Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[132] 1
US Holiday Streaming Songs (Billboard)[133] 22

Carly Rae Jepsen version

"Last Christmas"
Single by Carly Rae Jepsen
Released20 November 2015 (2015-11-20)
RecordedNovember 2015[134]
Genre
Length3:32
Label
Songwriter(s)George Michael
Producer(s)Ben Romans
Carly Rae Jepsen singles chronology
"Your Type"
(2015) 		"Last Christmas"
(2015) 		"It Takes Two"
(2017)

"Last Christmas" was covered by Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen in 2015 and was released to digital retailers on 20 November 2015 through 604 Records (in Canada) and Interscope Records and School Boy Records (internationally).[135][136] Jepsen's rendition was praised by critics for combining stylistic elements similar to the original with modern production.[137]

Track listing

Digital download – single[136]

  1. "Last Christmas" – 3:32

Critical reception

Bianca Gracie of Idolator described the song as "quintessential Carly" for highlighting Jepsen's unique vocals and synth production and wrote that her cover will "charm your... socks off."[138] Nolan Feeney of Time echoed those sentiments, noting that "Last Christmas" is "the kind of brokenhearted yet warm and sweet song [Jepsen] excels at."[139] Jackson McHenry of Vulture applauded Jepsen for her straightforward approach to the song and avoiding the "vocal gymnastics" that bog down some Christmas covers.[140]

A more critical review came from music blog Popcrush, who deemed the cover overproduced. "The slick production is a disservice to both Carly’s vocals and the original’s emotional heft," writes Samanth Vincenty.[141]

Live performances

Jepsen performed the song live at the annual NBC television special Christmas in Rockefeller Center, which aired on 2 December 2015.[142] She also performed the song on the episode of The Late Late Show with James Corden airing on 16 December 2015.[143]

Charts

Chart (2015–16) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[144] 21
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[145] 40
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[146] 100
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[147] 80
US Holiday Digital Songs (Billboard)[148] 43

Other cover versions


References

  1. ^ Last Christmas (Media notes). Wham!. CBS Records. EPC A 4949. Editado e Distribuido em Portugal por CBS (Portugal) Música e Discos, Lda{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. ^ Last Christmas (Media notes). Wham!. CBS Records. EPCA 4949. Made in Holland{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) The Dutch-manufactured pressing contains the names of the band and of the song.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Rachel, Aroesti (14 December 2017). "Still saving us from tears: the inside story of Wham!'s Last Christmas". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
  4. ^ a b "The philanthropic acts of George Michael: from £5k tips to nurses' gigs". The Guardian. 7 January 2018.
  5. ^ "The Nation's Favourite Christmas Song". ITV. 22 December 2012.
  6. ^ "Fairytale Of New York is true sound of Christmas". The Telegraph. Retrieved 21 September 2019
  7. ^ Pink News
  8. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. 15 December 1984. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  9. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. 14 December 1985. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  10. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. 11 January 1986. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  11. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. 13 December 1986. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  12. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. 8 December 2007. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  13. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. 6 December 2008. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  14. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. 12 December 2009. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  15. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. 11 December 2010. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  16. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. December 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  17. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. December 2014. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  18. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. December 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  19. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. 8 December 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  20. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. 30 November 2017. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  21. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. 6 December 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  22. ^ "LadBaby takes early lead ahead of Stormzy, Wham! and Ellie Goulding for Christmas Number 1". Official Charts Company. 15 December 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  23. ^ a b Myers, Justin (14 June 2018). "The UK's biggest selling singles of all time". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  24. ^ BPI certified | Choose Multi-platinum, Type Last Christmas and press search
  25. ^ Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Peaked at #3 on 28 December 2018 - Germany Songs. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  26. ^ ""Last Christmas" erfolgreichster Weihnachtssong aller Zeiten - media control". Media-control.de. 13 December 2010. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  27. ^ "Die ganze Musik im Internet: Charts, News, Neuerscheinungen, Tickets, Genres, Genresuche, Genrelexikon, Künstler-Suche, Musik-Suche, Track-Suche, Ticket-Suche". musicline.de. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  28. ^ 洋楽データベース. "Top Selling Singles" (in Japanese). Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  29. ^ Oricon (26 December 1994). "Top Selling Singles" (in Japanese). Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  30. ^ "ワム！- ラスト・クリスマス". Sony Music Entertainment Japan (in Japanese). 21 November 2001. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  31. ^ "ワム！- ラスト・クリスマス". Sony Music Entertainment Japan (in Japanese). 17 November 2004. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  32. ^ オリジナルコンフィデンス. 歴代洋楽シングル売り上げ枚数ランキング (in Japanese). 年代流行. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  33. ^ DutchCharts.nl
  34. ^ Wham!'s 1984 Classic 'Last Christmas' Hits Billboard Hot 100's Top 40 for First Time, Billboard
  35. ^ a b "Wham Chart History (Holiday 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  36. ^ Wham!'s 1984 Classic 'Last Christmas' Hits Billboard Hot 100's Top 40 for First Time - Billboard
  37. ^ a b Billboard Staff (25 November 2016). "What Are the Top-Selling Holiday Songs?". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  38. ^ Trust, Gary (27 December 2016). "Wham!'s 1984 Classic 'Last Christmas' Makes First Hot 100 Appearance". Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  39. ^ https://www.billboard.com/music/wham/chart-history
  40. ^ a b "Sverigetopplistan – Sveriges Officiella Topplista". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  41. ^ WhamVEVO (25 October 2009), Wham! - Last Christmas (Official Video), retrieved 14 December 2019
  42. ^ WhamVEVO (29 November 2016), Wham! - Last Christmas (Pudding Mix) [Official Video], retrieved 14 December 2019
  43. ^ WhamVEVO (13 December 2019), Wham! - Last Christmas (Official 4K video), retrieved 14 December 2019
  44. ^ Last Christmas Limited edition white vinyl Release date: 13 December 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  45. ^ Kent, David (editor) (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, New South Wales: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  46. ^ "Wham! – Last Christmas" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  47. ^ "Wham! – Last Christmas" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  48. ^ "Wham! Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  49. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 51. týden 2013 in the date selector. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  50. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 51,52. týden 2018 in the date selector. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  51. ^ "Track Top-40 Uge 50, 2018". Hitlisten. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  52. ^ "DUTCH SINGLE TOP 100: 22/12/1984". dutchcharts.nl. Archived from the original on 2 January 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  53. ^ "Wham!: Last Christmas" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  54. ^ "Wham! – Last Christmas" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  55. ^ "Internet Archive Wayback Machine". Archived from the original on 3 January 2002. Retrieved 9 April 2012. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  56. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  57. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  58. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  59. ^ "Wham! Chart History". RÚV. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  60. ^ Irish Singles Chart Irishcharts.ie
  61. ^ "Wham! – Last Christmas". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  62. ^ "Wham! Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  63. ^ a b "Japan #1 IMPORT DISKS by Oricon Hot Singles" (in Japanese). Oricon. 18.ocn.ne.jp. Archived from the original on 11 September 2010. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  64. ^ "Mūzikas patēriņa tops gadu mijā" (in Latvian). LAIPA. Archived from the original on 10 October 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  65. ^ "Wham! – Last Christmas" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  66. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 31 December 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  67. ^ "Wham! – Last Christmas". VG-lista. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  68. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
  69. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Dance Top 50. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  70. ^ "Wham! – Last Christmas". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  71. ^ "Singapore Top 30 Digital Streaming Chart – Week 52" (PDF). Recording Industry Association (Singapore). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 January 2019.
  72. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201651,52 into search. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  73. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201850 into search. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
  74. ^ "SloTop50 – Slovenian official singles chart". slotop50.si. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  75. ^ "The 53th Weekly Digital Chart in 2015 - Issue date: 20 December 2015 ~ 26 December 2015". Gaon Chart. Archived from the original on 1 January 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  76. ^ "Wham! – Last Christmas" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  77. ^ "Wham! – Last Christmas". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  78. ^ "Wham!: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  79. ^ "Wham Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  80. ^ "Wham Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  81. ^ "Wham Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  82. ^ "Best of All Time – Singles". Austriancharts.at. Hung Medien. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  83. ^ "All-Time-Charts Deutschland". Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  84. ^ "ARIA Australian Top 50 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. 9 December 2019. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  85. ^ "Danish single certifications – Wham – Last Christmas". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 19 December 2017. Scroll through the page-list below until year 2017 to obtain certification.
  86. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Wham; 'Last Christmas')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  87. ^ "Ελληνικό Chart – Top 50 Singles" (in Greek). IFPI Greece.
  88. ^ "Italian single certifications – Wham – Last Christmas" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Select "Tutti gli anni" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Last Christmas" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  89. ^ "List of best-selling international singles in Japan". JP&KIYO. 2002.
  90. ^ "Japanese single certifications – Wham – Last Christmas" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  91. ^ "Dutch single certifications – Wham – Last Christmas" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 26 April 2019. Enter Last Christmas in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1984 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  92. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Wham! – Last Christmas". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  93. ^ "Spanish single certifications – Wham! – Last Christmas" elportaldemusica.es. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  94. ^ "British single certifications – Wham – Last Christmas". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type Last Christmas in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  95. ^ Kroll, Justin (26 October 2018). "Paul Feig's 'Last Christmas' Dated, Will Feature Unreleased George Michael Music". Variety. Retrieved 27 November 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  96. ^ Leszczak, Bob (2014). Who Did It First?: Great Pop Cover Songs and Their Original Artists. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 36. ISBN 978-1-4422-3067-5.
  97. ^ "Whigfield – Last Christmas" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  98. ^ "Top 10 Denmark" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  99. ^ "Whigfield: Last Christmas" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  100. ^ "Whigfield - Last Christmas" (in Dutch). top40.nl. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  101. ^ "Whigfield – Last Christmas" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  102. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". officialcharts.com. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  103. ^ Billboard. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  104. ^ "Whigfield – Last Christmas". Singles Top 100.
  105. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  106. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 11 December 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  107. ^ "Last Christmas (DMD Single): Ashley Tisdale: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  108. ^ a b "Amazon.com: Last Christmas (DMD Single): Ashley Tisdale: MP3 Downloads". Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  109. ^ Amazon.com. "He Said She Said (European Single)". Amazon. Retrieved 20 July 2008.
  110. ^ "Billboard.biz: Ashley Tisdale". Billboard. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  111. ^ a b c d e f "Last Christmas" by Crazy Frog, in various singles charts Lescharts.com (Retrieved 16 December 2007)
  112. ^ a b "Last Christmas" by Crazy Frog, in various singles charts Acharts.us (Retrieved 21 July 2008)
  113. ^ "Cascada – Last Christmas" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  114. ^ "Chart Log UK". Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  115. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  116. ^ "Disco Defenders - Special Edition".
  117. ^ "Last Christmas". Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  118. ^ Joe McElderry announces new album 'Classic Christmas' Digital Spy. Retrieved on 31 October 2011.
  119. ^ Behind The Scenes at Joe's Classic Christmas Winter Wonderland! Decca Records on YouTube. Retrieved on 21 December 2011.
  120. ^ Joe McElderry - Last Christmas iTunes Store. Retrieved on 7 November 2011.
  121. ^ Joe McElderry - Last Christmas (7th Heaven Remixes) iTunes Store. Retrieved on 11 December 2011.
  122. ^ a b "Last Christmas – Single by Ariana Grande". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  123. ^ a b Menyes, Carolyn (19 November 2013). "Review: Ariana Grande reworks Wham! classic 'Last Christmas' for first holiday single [LISTEN]". Music Times. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  124. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (19 November 2013). "Ariana Grande Updates 'Last Christmas' For First Holiday Release: Listen". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  125. ^ "Ariana Grande Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  126. ^ "Discografie Ariana Grande". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  127. ^ "2013년 49주차 Digital Char". Gaon Chart. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
  128. ^ Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart Log UK: New Entries Update – 30.11.2013 (wk47)". zobbel.de. Tobias Zywietz. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  129. ^ "Ariana Grande Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  130. ^ "Ariana Grande Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  131. ^ "Ariana Grande - Chart History: Holiday 100". Billboard. 5 December 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  132. ^ "Ariana Grande – Chart History: Holiday Digital Song Sales". Billboard. 5 October 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  133. ^ "Ariana Grande – Chart History: Holiday Streaming Songs". Billboard. 5 October 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  134. ^ Wass, Mike (20 November 2015). "Carly Rae Jepsen Is Back In The Studio Working On New Music". Idolator. Spin Media. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  135. ^ "Last Christmas - Single by Carly Rae Jepsen". iTunes Store (Canada). Apple Inc. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  136. ^ a b "Last Christmas - Single by Carly Rae Jepsen". iTunes Store (US). Apple Inc. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  137. ^ Weiner, Natalie (20 November 2015). "Listen to Carly Rae Jepsen's Cover of 'Last Christmas'". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  138. ^ Gracie, Bianca (20 November 2015). "Carly Rae Jepsen Covers Wham!'s "Last Christmas": Listen". Idolator. Spin Media. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  139. ^ Feeney, Nolan (20 November 2015). "Christmas Came Early With Carly Rae Jepsen's Delightful Cover of 'Last Christmas'". Time. Time Inc. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  140. ^ McHenry, Jackson (20 November 2015). "Carly Rae Jepsen's Cover of 'Last Christmas' Will Help You Ring in the Holiday Season". Vulture. New York Media. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  141. ^ Vincenty, Samantha (20 November 2015). "Carly Rae Jepsen Covers Wham!'s Classic 'Last Christmas'". Popcrush. Townsquare Media. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  142. ^ Daw, Robbie (3 December 2015). "Carly Rae Jepsen's "Last Christmas" Performance At Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting: Watch". Idolator. Spin Media. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  143. ^ Williott, Carl (17 December 2015). "Watch Carly Rae Jepsen Do "Last Christmas" On 'The Late Late Show'". Idolator. Spin Media. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  144. ^ "Carly Rae Jepsen – Last Christmas" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  145. ^ "Carly Rae Jepsen – Last Christmas" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  146. ^ "Carly Rae Jepsen – Last Christmas" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  147. ^ "Carly Rae Jepsen – Last Christmas". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  148. ^ "Chart Search". Billboard Holiday Digital Songs for Carly Rae Jepsen. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  149. ^ "Taylor Swift, Chart History". Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  150. ^ Thorpe, Vanessa (14 December 2008). "Alexandra pours heart and soul into winning song". The Observer. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  151. ^ Trust, Gary (16 June 2010). "'Glee': A Record-Setting Freshman Year". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  152. ^ "Last Christmas". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 6 September 2010.
  153. ^ "The Puppini Sisters, 'Last Christmas'". 26 November 2010. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  154. ^ Truitt, Brian (24 December 2015). "Wham! Have yourself a retro Postmodern Jukebox 'Last Christmas'". USAToday. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
  155. ^ Aniftos, Rania (16 November 2018). "Ally Brooke Covers the Wham! Classic 'Last Christmas': Listen". Billboard. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  156. ^ Swedishcharts.com: James TW - "las Christmas" song page
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Last_Christmas&oldid=930919995"